Receiving device with RFID detection of built-in components held therein, and RFID detection method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a receiving device, in particular a cabinet or rack, having a receiving space ( 12 ) for receiving built-in components ( 14 ) provided with RFID transponders ( 34 ), and having a detection device for detecting built-in components ( 14 ) accommodated, which is or can be connected to an evaluation device, and has at least one RFID antenna ( 32 ) for communication with the RFID transponders ( 34 ) of the incorporated built-in components ( 14 ). According to the invention, the receiving device ( 10 ) has a plurality of RFID transponders ( 36 ) arranged distributed along the receiving space ( 12 ), the transponder action of said RFID transponders can be changed as a function of a presence or absence of a built-in component ( 14 ) in the vicinity of the respective device-specific RFID transponder ( 36 ).

The invention relates to a receiving device for receiving built-incomponents according to the preamble of Claim 1.

Such a receiving device is known for example from DE 10 2007 034 437 A1and comprises a receiving space for receiving built-in components and adetection device for detecting built-in components that are actuallyaccommodated. The detection is based on so-called RFID technology andrequires that the built-in components are each provided with an RFIDtransponder.

The RFID (“radio frequency identification”) in general terms is atechnique for the wireless identification of objects. An RFID systemconsists of at least one read device with at least one RFID antenna forreading data from RFID transponders within the range of the reader. Thecommunication or data transfer between RFID transponder and read devicetakes place by means of electromagnetic waves. At lower frequencies thistakes place inductively via the electromagnetic near field, at higherfrequencies via the electromagnetic far field. The read device, and alsothe RFID transponder, can function both as a transmitter and a receiverof data to be transferred.

The detection device of the known receiving device is or can beconnected to an evaluation device and comprises a plurality of RFIDantennas arranged along the receiving space for short-rangecommunication with the RFID transponders of the incorporated built-incomponents. It is therefore possible to identify different built-incomponents and to detect their presence or absence (“inventorycreation”). By designing the detection device with a plurality ofindividual antennas each with a relatively short communication range, inaddition to the detection of their mere presence, information relatingto the positions of the built-in components held inside the receivingspace can also be obtained.

Problems for the known receiving device however are presented by casesin which the precise arrangement of the RFID transponder on theindividual built-in components is not exactly specified, and/or built-incomponents with different dimensions are incorporated into the receivingdevice. This is because In such cases, even from a precise knowledge ofthe position of a component-specific RFID transponder, it is notnecessarily possible to deduce the exact dimensions and the exactinstallation position of the relevant built-in component.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to improve areceiving device of the above mentioned kind from the viewpoint ofdetermining the position of the built-in components situated in thereceiving space.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a receiving deviceaccording to claim 1. The dependent Claims relate to advantageousextensions of the invention.

The receiving device according to the invention comprises a plurality ofplurality of RFID transponders arranged distributed along the receivingspace, the transponder action of which can be changed as a function of apresence or absence of a built-in component in the vicinity of therespective RFID transponder.

In the RFID-detection system according to the invention therefore, notonly do the built-in components each have an RFID transponder, hereafteralso designated as a “component-specific RFID transponder”, butadditional RFID transponders are provided as part of the receivingdevice, which are therefore also designated hereafter as“device-specific RFID transponders”.

Due to the fact that the device-specific transponders are arrangeddistributed along the receiving space and their transponder action canbe changed as a function of a presence or absence of a built-incomponent in their vicinity, not only can the mere presence or absenceof built-in components in the receiving space be detected by means ofthe detection device, but advantageously a detection of the installationpositions within the receiving space is also facilitated with highaccuracy.

The receiving device according to the invention can be in particular acabinet or rack, for example an electrical cabinet or a switchingcabinet for holding electrical or electronic built-in devices, or aso-called “IT rack” (e.g. “server rack”) for holding electrical orelectronic built-in devices for information technology (IT).

The term “rack” is intended here to designate a holding device by meansof which a plurality of fairly small built-in components can be combinedtogether to form a constructional unit (“occupied rack”). In thiscontext a rack can be e. g. a stand or a frame which is appropriatelyimplemented for the positioned holding and support of built-incomponents provided for this purpose.

The tern “cabinet” by contrast is intended to refer to a receivingdevice which, in the same way as a rack, is provided for receivingbuilt-in components, but unlike a rack additionally comprises flat wallswith which an inner space of the device at least to a large extent isenclosed (e.g. by side walls of the cabinet) or can be enclosed (e.g. bycabinet doors).

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that possible installationpositions of the built-in components in the receiving space are providedby a “mounting grid” of the receiving device, in particular by amounting grid which is defined by the positions of a series of fixingmeans constructed along an elongated, e.g. vertically extending,mounting frame part.

The term “grid” is intended here in general to mean a regulararrangement of grid points along a surface (surface grid) or along aline (linear grid). In a linear grid a regularity of the arrangement ispresent in particular when the grid points are arranged equidistantlyalong the line. A regular arrangement here, however, will also be usedto designate an arrangement of grid points in which, quite generally, anarrangement pattern repeats itself with a particular periodicity. Inthis case the individual grid points, e.g. lying on a line, need notnecessarily be equidistant to one another. Rather, a periodic repetitionof specific mutual distances between the grid points is sufficient.

In a preferred embodiment, the possible mounting positions within thereceiving space are defined by a linearly vertically extending mountinggrid, which is defined by the positions of a series of fixing means,e.g. mounting holes, constructed along a vertically extended mountingframe part. In the case of a mounting grid which is defined by thepositions (grid points) of fixing means, e.g. mounting holes, in orderto mount a component this can be fixed (e.g. screwed) in the desiredmounting position by means of at least one such fixing means.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the device-specific RFIDtransponders are arranged in a transponder grid extending along thereceiving space, in particular in a transponder grid which isimplemented so as to correspond to a mounting grid of the receivingdevice.

The implementation of the transponder grid “corresponding” to themounting grid is intended to include e. g. the case that the two gridsare identical or substantially identical (e.g. only slightly displacedrelative to each other in the grid direction). In addition, acorresponding implementation will also be present when a period orperiodic length of the one grid also represents a period or periodiclength of the other grid.

Preferably, a transponder grid is provided which is suitable for theexact detection of the installation positions of the individual built-incomponents for any conceivable occupation situation of the receivingdevice.

In one embodiment it is provided that the at least one RFID antenna,which is provided in any case for communication with thecomponent-specific RFID transponders, is also usable for communicationwith the device-specific RFID transponders.

Alternatively or in addition however, it can also be provided that thedetection device has at least one additional RFID antenna forcommunication with the device-specific RFID transponders. This does, itis true, involve a certain amount of additional cost, but one which insome cases can be justified in terms of the detection reliability.

The “ability to change the transponder action” of the device-specificRFID transponders as a function of a presence or absence of a built-incomponent in the vicinity of the transponder, which is essential to theinvention, can be implemented in a variety of ways. The correspondingtechnical implementation variants can be classified e.g. according towhether this change takes place automatically or forcibly during theinstallation or removal of a built-in component, or whether some actionby a user (who carries out the installation or removal) is required.Both variants are possible within the scope of the invention.

“Change in the transponder action” is to be understood in the broadestsense as any such change which can be detected by an evaluation of thecommunication between the relevant RFID transponder and the antennaprovided for this communication.

This detection can be based e.g. on the content of the communication(transferred data). To change the communication content as a function ofa presence or absence of a built-in component, e.g. means forappropriately influencing the device-specific RFID transponders can beprovided. Such influencing means can be formed by parts of the deviceand/or by parts of the built-in components and be e.g. electricallyconnected to an assigned transponder which can be provided for thepurpose with e.g. electrical contacts (or cabling), via which thepresence or absence is signalled (e.g. by short-circuiting of twoelectrical contacts on a transponder). In this manner, duringinstallation or removal of built-in components, the transponder ortransponders corresponding to the mounting position can be driven for aspecific data transfer (to the RFID antenna).

In another embodiment this detection is based on the quality of thecommunication, or equivalently on the quality of the communicationchannel between transponder and antenna. As a particularly simpleimplementation variant of this, it can be provided that according to thepresence or absence of a built-in component in the vicinity of thetransponder, such a communication n the one case is significantlydegraded or completely impossible in terms of radio coverage, whereas inthe other case such a communication is enabled (in terms of radiocoverage) or significantly improved.

For this purpose it can e.g. be provided that the communication isdegraded or disabled in the presence of the built-in component and inthe absence of the built-in component it is improved or simply enabled.A reverse assignment can also be equally well provided between theoccupation situation in the vicinity of the transponder on the one handand the communication quality on the other, however.

The above described change in the communication quality by theinstallation or removal of a built-in component can be implemented e.g.by a corresponding change in position of an electrically conductiveregion (with screening action) and/or a change in the distance betweentransponder and antenna and/or a change in orientation of thetransponder with respect to the antenna.

The electrically conductive region mentioned can be provided as a part(e.g. a metallic region of the housing) of the relevant built-incomponent, or as a dedicated part specially provided for the purpose ofoccupation-dependent screening (e.g. a metallic screening plate). Such ascreening part can e.g. represent an appropriately implemented componentof the receiving device.

The change in distance between transponder and antenna mentioned abovecan be implemented e.g. by a translation and/or a pivoting of thetransponder. Alternatively or in addition, such a translation and/orpivoting can also have the effect that the transponder is thereby movedinto or out of a screened spatial area.

The change in orientation of the transponder with respect to the antennamentioned above can be implemented e.g. by a pivoting or rotation of thetransponder (with e.g. a stationary antenna).

According to another embodiment the above described change in thecommunication quality by the installation or removal of a built-incomponent be implemented by an electrical contacting of at least onesection of an antenna of the relevant RFID transponder, in order tochange the action of this antenna and therefore the transponder actionin a detectable manner. For example, influencing means can be providedfor this purpose, which electrically short circuit the end regions of anantenna configured as a dipole. In general such antenna sections can becontacted in a galvanically conducting manner during the mounting ofbuilt-in components, or wholly or partially covered by a screening part.

Since the action of an antenna usually crucially depends on theproperties of the environment of the antenna, according to anotherembodiment, the action of the antenna and thus the transponder actioncan be influenced by targeted displacement of an “other than air”portion of the radio path between the RFID antenna and RFID transponder.For example, this can be effected e.g. by bringing an electricallyconductive part towards or away from the antenna of the transponder.Thus, e.g. a change in the (antenna) resonance frequency or a detuningof the antenna can be produced. An action principle such as this couldalso be described as a radio screening (or release of screening) in thebroadest sense. With regard to the configuration and arrangement ofelectrically conductive regions for this purpose (alternatively: e.g.regions with special (other than air) dielectric properties), referenceis made to the explanations given here of the action principle of“screening”.

In one embodiment it is provided that the change in the transponderaction of the device-specific RFID transponders is effected forcibly bythe mounting or demounting of a built-in component in the vicinity ofthe respective device-specific RFID transponder.

In a related extension it is provided that the quality of thecommunication path between the respective device-specific RFIDtransponder and an antenna, provided for the communication with thisRFID transponder, is forcibly changed by the presence or absence ofelectrically conductive regions of the built-in component. In this case,to a certain extent an “electromagnetic action mechanism” is used forthe communication change, which is based on the screening effect ofelectrically conductive regions for the RFID communication. In this caseit can be alternatively or additionally provided that, due to thepresence or absence of electrically conductive regions, it isessentially the antenna action of the relevant transponder which isactually changed.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the quality ofthe communication path between the respective device-specific RFIDtransponder and an antenna provided for the communication with this RFIDtransponder is changed, either by a manually performed or automaticallycontrolled change in position of the respective device-specific RFIDtransponder.

Even in the case of a change in position of the respective RFIDtransponder an “electromagnetic action mechanism” is exploited, basede.g. on a change in a screening action (if the transponder is movedbetween spatial areas which are “differently illuminated” in terms ofradio coverage), and/or based on a change in the signal strength of theRFID communication, which is already determined by thephysical-principle-based dependence of the signal strength on thedistance between transponder and antenna, and/or based on a change inthe signal strength due to a directional effect and/or polarisationeffect (if antenna and/or transponder have direction-dependent orpolarisation-dependent transmission and/or reception properties withrespect to the electromagnetic RFID radiation).

In one embodiment, means for causing the change in the transponderaction which can be manually operated by a user are provided. For thispurpose, such means as e.g. buttons, sliders, flaps, rotary knobs or thelike which are manually activatable by the user before, during or afteran installation or removal of a built-in component, come intoconsideration as “operating devices”, by the manual activation of whichthe change in the transponder action is effected. Any such operatingdevice can be connected e.g. directly or indirectly via a mechanicalfunctional connection (gears, linkage or the like), to an assignedtransponder in order to selectively displace this during the manualoperation. Alternatively or additionally to a displacement of theassigned transponder, in this case a displacement of another assignedpart, e.g. a screening plate, can also be provided.

For example, it can be provided that a change in the quality of thecommunication or quality of the communication path between antenna andtransponder is induced by means of such a manual operation, as hasalready been described above.

For example, for each device-specific RFID transponder an electricallyconductive screening part (e.g. a screening plate made of metal) can bedirectly or indirectly moved by the user in such a manner that thecommunication quality is thereby changed, as described above. Thescreening part can be e.g. shifted and/or pivoted and/or rotated. Thisoperating action is to be performed by the user when he installs orremoves a built-in component.

Also, e.g. as already stated above for automatic or forcible changes inthe transponder action, various action mechanisms, individually orcombined, can also be provided for manually changing the transponderaction, such as action mechanisms based on a change of distance and/or achange in orientation between transponder and antenna.

During such an operation the user can e.g. directly touch a screeningpart or the transponder, or a part carrying the transponder, and changeits position (e.g. displace and/or rotate it). Alternatively, e.g. anonly indirect change in position can be provided, which takes place bymeans of a mechanism which is functionally arranged between an operatingelement and the part whose position is to be changed (e.g. transponderor screening part).

According to a further aspect of the present invention an RFID detectionmethod is provided which is executed by means of a receiving device ofthe above described type. Such an RFID detection method facilitates anautomatic inventory to be taken of the incorporated built-in components.

According to a preferred extension it is provided that, in the area ofthe evaluation device or of a data processing device connected thereto,current information about the occupation of the receiving device withbuilt-in components is stored and automatically updated by means of theRFID detection.

When the receiving device has a specific occupation with built-incomponents at a specific time point, which is stored in electronic form,then this situation corresponds to a particular “RFID receivesituation”, i.e. identifications of the RFID transponders of theincorporated built-in components are detected and in addition,identifications of device-specific RFID transponders corresponding tothe occupied (or unoccupied) sections of the receiving space aredetected. If, starting from this situation a built-in component is nowdemounted, then firstly, it can be detected which component is involved,because with the removal of the built-in component the correspondingidentification of the component-specific RFID transponder is then nolonger detected. Secondly however, it can also be determined exactlywhich section of the receiving space becomes free due to thisdemounting, and namely in two ways, which can be implemented e.g. inparallel: Firstly, the information about the freed section of thereceiving space is already available from the stored occupation plan,which indicates for each built-in component the receiving space sectionwhich is thereby occupied. Secondly however, the freed receiving spacesection can also be determined from the change in the transponder actionof one or more device-specific RFID transponders, which is associatedwith the removal of the built-in component. In the converse case, whenan additional built-in component is installed, then by detecting theidentification of the thereby newly added component-specific RFIDtransponder, it can be determined which built-in component is involved.Its installation position or the receiving space section occupied bythis component can again be determined by means of the change in thetransponder action of one or more device-specific RFID transponders. Bymeans of the RFID detection therefore, the stored occupation plan can becontinuously monitored and updated. This preferably takes place in acomputer program, e.g. in a data processing device which is connected tothe evaluation device for the purpose (or assumes its function) and onwhich appropriate “inventory-taking software” runs.

The invention is hereafter described in further detail, making use ofexemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.Shown are:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of a receiving device (switching cabinet)according to a first exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2 a detail from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 a schematic front view and a schematic plan view of a detail ofthe receiving device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 a schematic illustration of a detail of FIG. 3 in a variant form,

FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of a detail of FIG. 3 in a variant form,

FIG. 6 a perspective partial view of essential components of a receivingdevice (IT rack) according to a second exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 7 a detail from FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 a view similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating a built-in componentpositioned therein,

FIG. 9 a detail from FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 a schematic plan view of a positioned built-in component,

FIG. 11 a detail from FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 a view corresponding to FIG. 11 according to a variant,additional exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 13 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 14 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 15 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 16 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 17 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 18 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 19 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 20 an to illustration corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5 of varioustransponder arrangements,

FIG. 21 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment, and

FIG. 22 an illustration corresponding to FIG. 11 of a further exemplaryembodiment,

FIG. 1 shows a receiving device 10 embodied as a so-called electricalcabinet or switching cabinet, having a receiving space 12 for receivingbuilt-in components 14 provided with RFID transponders 34.

The reference numbers of components provided multiple times in oneembodiment, but which are analogous in their action, such as the“built-in components 14” or the “RFID transponder 34”, are mostlyconsecutively numbered (in each case supplemented by a hyphen and asequential number). Individual such components or the entirety of suchcomponents are also referred to in this text by the incomplete referencenumber.

The built-in components 14 are in the example illustrated electricaland/or electronic devices or built-in devices, the dimensions of whichare adapted to suit the design of the device 10, or its receiving space12. In this respect the device 10 can be e.g. a switching cabinetimplemented according to a specific standard, such as a so-called“19-inch switching cabinet”, for example for receiving built-in devices(e.g. servers) from information technology (IT).

Possible mounting positions of the built-in components 14 in thereceiving space 12 are specified in a manner known per se by a mountinggrid which is defined by the positions of fixing holes 16 constructedalong elongated, vertically extending mounting frame parts 18-1 to 18-4(“perforated strips”).

In FIGS. 1 and 2 only one of these mounting frame parts 18 can beidentified, namely a right-hand frontal mounting frame part 18-1.Together with the other mounting frame parts 18-2 to 18-4 extendingvertically parallel thereto (left front, right rear, left rear) theessentially parallelipipedal receiving space 12 is implemented toaccommodate the built-in components 14.

In the situation illustrated the receiving device 10 is populated with atotal of 12 built-in components 14-1 to 14-12, of which the components14-2 and 14-3 have a relatively small installation height of oneso-called “height unit” (HE), the components 14-7 and 14-8 a relativelylarge installation height of 3 HE or 4 HE and the remaining componentshave an installation height of 2 HE.

The exact height positioning of each component 14 in the receiving space12 can be specified in the example shown at exactly ⅓ HE. The mountinggrid defined by the vertical series of fixing holes 16 is appropriatelydesigned to suit this (mean hole separation=⅓ HE).

In the situation shown, free receiving space sections 20-1 to 20-5 canbe identified, which provide space for accommodating further built-incomponents, or in practice when not in use are normally closed off atthe front with blanking plates (not shown). Such blanking plates canalso represent “built-in components” in the sense of the invention, i.e.each can be provided with an RFID transponder to be identified. Theinstallation of such blanking plates is of great advantage or evenessential in many applications, e.g. when the receiving space isair-conditioned (actively cooled). To this extent the inclusion of theblanking plates in the detection when determining the current occupationsituation of the receiving device is often an advantage. As in the caseof the built-in components 14 themselves, the free receiving spacesections 20 can also vary in terms of their height (in steps of ⅓ HE).

As is illustrated in FIG. 2 by the example of the built-in component14-10, the fixing of the built-in components 14 takes place by screwinga front plate 22 of the relevant built-in component onto the frontmounting frame parts 18-1 and 18-2. For this purpose, each front plate22 has on both lateral ends at least one fixing hole 24, which duringmounting can be aligned with one of the fixing holes 16 in order to fixthe built-in component by a screw fitting. In the example of FIG. 2shown, the front plate 22-10 of the built-in component 14-10 has fourfixing holes altogether (2 on the left, 2 on the right), of which thetwo right-hand ones are visible and labelled with 24-1 and 24-2.

A special feature of the receiving device 10 consists in the fact thatit is provided with a detection device for the detection of currentlyincorporated built-in components 14. The detection device is connectedvia a cable link 28 to an evaluation device 30, arranged externally inthis example, in order to facilitate an automatic “inventory creation”of the contents of the receiving device 10. The cable link 28 can beimplemented e.g. via a plug connection arranged on the outside of thedevice 10. Another conceivable alternative is a wireless data transferconnection between the device 10 and the evaluation device 30 (or a dataprocessing device).

The acquisition of the switching cabinet inventory is effected by meansof RFID. The detection device comprises at least one RFID antenna forthis purpose, for communication with RFID transponders 34, with whichthe individual built-in components 14 are each provided. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated, an RFID antenna 32 (e g. a “patchantenna”) is provided, extending longitudinally in the verticaldirection, which is attached (e.g. by means of adhesive) onto the frontface of the mounting frame part 18-1, on a spacing strip (dielectric)33. Alternatively, the antenna 32 could be arranged at another point inor in the vicinity of the receiving space, e.g. on the inside of thecabinet door (cf. FIG. 1). The detection device in the illustratedexample consists of the antenna 32 and an antenna lead connected theretoand leading to the cable link 28. Alternatively, e.g. an additionalantenna amplifier could be accommodated in the device 10.

FIG. 2 further illustrates the arrangement of the REID transponder 34-10on the front face of the front plate 22-10 of the built-in component14-10. The remaining built-in components 14 are each also provided withsuch a component-specific RFID transponder 34, which in the exampleillustrated is in each case glued onto the front of the front plate 22.

The use of component-specific RFID transponders 34 and the arrangementof the RFID antenna 32 for communication with these transponders alreadyfacilitates a “rough inventory creation”, such that in the region of theevaluation device 30, information about the number and respective typeof built-in components 14 currently accommodated in the receiving space12 can be obtained. For this purpose, each component-specific RFIDtransponder 34 stores, in a manner known per se, corresponding dataabout the relevant built-in component 14.

Furthermore however, the RFID detection integrated into the device 10 inthe example illustrated also enables information to be obtained aboutthe respective mounting positions of the built-in components 14 in thereceiving space 12. A “more exact inventory” is therefore possible, tothe extent that in the region of the evaluation device 30 (and any dataprocessing device connected thereto), the information on a more or lessaccurate “occupation plan” of the receiving device 10 exists, from whiche.g. it can also advantageously be inferred at exactly which positionsthe free receiving space sections 20 are present, and what height eachof these has. Based on such information it can be established, e.g.,whether or not sufficient “height units” are still free in the receivingspace 12 for installing a particular built-in component of a predefinedinstallation height, and if this is the case, whether the installationis straightforwardly possible (without reconfiguring already installedcomponents in terms of their mounting positions).

In order to facilitate such more accurate inventory taking, thereceiving device 10 has a plurality of (device-specific) RFIDtransponders 36 arranged distributed along the receiving space 12, thetransponder action of which can be changed as a function of a presenceor absence of a built-in component in the immediate vicinity of therespective device-specific RFID transponder 36.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment these device-specific RFIDtransponders 36 are arranged on the front face of the mounting framepart 18-1 such that whenever a built-in component 14 is installed, oneor more of these RFID transponders 36 must inevitably be covered by thefront plate 22 of the relevant built-in component 14 and thereforeelectromagnetically screened. An RFID antenna provided for communicationwith these transponders 36, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment theRFID antenna 32, can therefore no longer detect the electromagneticallyscreened off transponders. At the same time however, the mounting of therelevant built-in component 14 can be detected by means of thecomponent-specific RFID transponder 34 attached thereto. By evaluationof the RFID detection results therefore, it can be easily determinedwhich type of, or which built-in component 14, has been installed inwhich position inside the receiving space 12.

In the present example the device-specific RFID transponders 36 arearranged on a “transponder grid” extending along the receiving space 12,which is implemented so as to correspond to the mounting grid of thereceiving device 10. The mounting grid is defined by the verticalarrangement of the fixing holes 16, the mean mutual spacing of which hasthe value ⅓ HE. The transponder grid consists of a correspondingvertical series of transponder positions, the mean mutual spacing ofwhich has the value ⅔ HE. The individual device-specific transponders 36in the illustrated example are each arranged adjacent to one of thefixing holes 16, wherein however a device-specific transponder 36 isalso arranged adjacent only to every second fixing hole 16.

Although in the receiving device 10 the RFID antenna 32 provided forcommunication with the component-specific RFID transponders 34 is alsoused for communication with the device-specific RFID transponders 36,then as an alternative, a further RFID antenna could also be providedfor communication with the device-specific RFID transponders. The mostconvenient arrangement of one or more RFID antennas depends e.g. on thepositions of the built-in components at which the component-specificRFID transponders are arranged. In particular when no specificationsexist with regard to the arrangement of the component-specific RFIDtransponders, then an arrangement of a plurality of RFID antennas (e.g.in every corner of the cabinet and/or on more than one sides of thecabinet) is advantageous, by means of which all possiblecomponent-specific RFID transponders can always be reliably detectedindependently of their specific arrangement.

FIG. 3 illustrates, again in schematic views from the front and fromabove, the mounting situation already partially visible in FIG. 2, usingthe example of the built-in component 14-10.

The upper part of the Figure shows once again the vertical extent of themounting grid, which is defined by the mounting frame parts 18-1 and18-2, implemented as perforated strip profiles, with the fixing holes16.

The lower part of the Figure shows more clearly the nature of themounting of the built-in component 14-10 by means of a screw connectionof its front plate 22-10 to the mounting frame parts 18-1, 18-2 (screws38 and nuts 40). In particular if the device-specific RFID transponders36 on the mounting frame part 18-1 have a significant thickness, then itis convenient if, as shown, the front face of the left-hand mountingframe part 18-2 is provided with a corresponding spacer 42 (e.g. formedas a continuous strip or from individual spacing pieces), in order toprevent an otherwise “lopsided” mounting of the front plate 22-10 andtherefore of the built-in component 14-10. For this purpose the spacingpiece or pieces 42 in the design illustrated must have the samethickness as the transponders 36.

In order also to guarantee a correct mounting position of the built-incomponent without the arrangement of such a spacer, options to beconsidered are e.g. a suitable protrusion of the front left-handmounting frame part or the embodiment variant to be described below withreference to FIG. 13.

In the above described example, the mounting position of a 1-HE built-incomponent 14 can be detected exactly, because for all the differentconceivable mounting positions each one results in distinguishable RFIDdetection results. In a corresponding manner, when a 1-HE built-incomponent 14 is demounted, exact information can be obtained as to whichsection of the receiving space 12 is thereby released. These embodimentsof the mounting grid and the transponder grid are of course only to beregarded as examples. What is particularly interesting In practice ise.g. a modified design of the transponder grid, such that an exactdetection (exact to a “sub-division” (here e.g. ⅓ HE) of the mountinggrid) is facilitated for all types and heights of built-in componentsfrom a given “range” of possible built-in components. (This is achievedby e.g. the transponder grid illustrated in FIG. 4 with “finerpartitioning”).

In the above described example the device-specific RFID transponders 36are arranged as described, such that when mounting a component 14 (e.g.electronic device or blanking plate) one part of these transponders isconcealed (screened off) in each case. A suitable arrangement of thetransponders 36 can be easily planned or implemented in particular ifthe relevant range of mountable components 14 involves standardisedcomponents (e.g. for a conventional “19-inch mounting rack”). If howeverthe front plate of a built-in component as such would not conceal therelevant transponder or transponders 36, a sideways extension of thefront plate (here serving as a screening plate, with a height extensionequal to that of the component itself) can also be additionally screwedin place, in order to guarantee the proper transponder concealment.

In the following description of other exemplary embodiments, identicalreference numbers are used for components with equivalent function, ineach case modified by a small letter to distinguish the embodiment. Thissection will essentially only deal with the differences relative to thealready described exemplary embodiment or embodiments, and in any casereference is hereby expressly made to the description of previousexemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate examples of two modifications of a transpondergrid formed by the device-specific RFID transponders, which can be usede.g. in the receiving device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Thus in FIG. 4 a transponder grid is shown in which for every fixinghole 16 a of a mounting frame part 18 a-1, a device-specific RFIDtransponder 36 a is present in an adjacent position.

The use of such a finer transponder grid as according to FIG. 4 in thereceiving device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 facilitates in aparticularly advantageous manner an exact detection of the mountingpositions (or demounting positions) of all types of built-in componentsfrom the relevant built-in component range (here: e.g. 1-, 2-, 3- and4-HE built-in components). This is because for all different conceivablemounting positions (or demounting positions), distinguishableRFID-detection results are obtained in each case. As part of aninventory creation process therefore, exact information can be obtainedas to which built-in components are situated precisely where in thereceiving space (accurate to ⅓ HE).

FIG. 5 illustrates, by contrast, a coarser transponder grid formed oftransponders 36 b on a mounting frame part 18 b-1. The transponders 36 bin this example each extend over the vertical extent of three adjacentfixing holes 16 b. An occupation plan determined or updated as part ofan RFID detection method would therefore be correspondingly coarser.

Deviating from the arrangement positions of the transponders 36 a or 36b illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, instead of next to the hole grid row 16a or 16 b, these could also be arranged in the gaps between theindividual fixing holes 16 a or 16 b (for which transponders ofappropriately small dimensions are advantageous).

In each of the examples of transponder grids described thus far, onlyone of the two frontal mounting frame parts (right-hand front mountingframe part 18-1, 18 a-1 or 18 b-1) was used for the mounting orintegration of the device-specific RFID transponders.

Alternatively or additionally however, it is also possible e.g. toprovide device-specific RFID transponders on the other of the two frontmounting frame parts (and/or any another of the mounting frame partsthat may be present).

It is also possible to arrange the transponders to use a strip speciallyprovided for the purpose and/or to use a strip which is present in anycase, e.g. as a mechanical stabilising part.

A plurality of transponder arrangements (e.g. on a plurality of strips,in particular strips extending parallel to one another) can beadvantageous, e.g. for a detection redundancy, for which a transpondercan be arranged e.g. at the same position of two strips or mountingframe parts (e.g. the two mounting frame parts arranged at the frontleft and right). Transponder arrangements of this kind on the twofrontal mounting frame parts (or other strips) can also be provideddifferently from one another in terms of position (e.g. in terms ofheight). This is of interest e.g. for an embodiment in which thetransponder array is to have a high resolution (grid pattern), but thisis not allowed by the (e.g. vertical) extent of the transponders usedalong a single mounting frame part or strip. In this case an “interlacedarrangement” can be provided, such that on each of the strips ormounting frame parts used for the transponder arrangement, an (e.g.vertical) row of (e.g. “tightly packed”) transponders is arranged, butwherein the multiple transponder rows are offset relative to oneanother. When arranging two rows of transponders these can be offset bye.g. half of an (e.g. vertical) transponder distance relative to oneanother.

In the above described exemplary embodiments, the detection of theposition of an installed or just demounted built-in component 14 isbased on the fact that the communication path between the relevantdevice-specific RFID transponders and an antenna provided for thecommunication with these RFID transponders is necessarily interrupted,or enabled again, by a section of the relevant front plate during theinstallation or removal. This front plate area, due to its electricallyconductive (e.g. metallic) construction, has a screening action (interms of radio signals). The communication between transponder andantenna, in the case of a built-in component in the vicinity in theexample described, is completely disabled.

Deviating from this action mechanism, e.g. other electrically conductiveregions of the built-in components (e.g. parts of a metallic housing)can also be used for this screening effect, in order to facilitate theposition detection.

FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of a receivingdevice 10 c, which is implemented as a so-called “rack”.

Apart from the outer walls which are not present in this device 10, thedevice 10 c corresponds in structure and function essentially to theexemplary embodiment already previously described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3.

In the illustrations of FIGS. 6 and 8, as well as partially illustrated,vertically projecting mounting frame parts 18 c-1 to 18 c-4, arectangular frame base 50 c is also shown, on which the lower ends ofthe mounting frame parts 18 c are fixed in place. The upper ends (notshown) of the mounting frame parts 18 c are also stabilised in theirreciprocal position by a corresponding end frame.

FIG. 10 shows an example using a built-in component 14 d of a mountingsituation, such as can be present e.g. in a receiving device of one ofthe types already described above (cabinet, rack or the like).

The built-in component 14 d (as also an entire receiving space 12 davailable for the mounting of such components) is again bounded at thesides by a total of four mounting frame parts 18 d-1 to 18 d-4.

If, as shown, a fixing of the built-in component 14 d is only providedonto the front mounting frame parts 18 d-1, 18 d-2, then to providemechanical support for the component 14 d lateral support plates (notshown) can be installed, on which the lateral lower regions of thecomponent 14 d rest and which each extend horizontally between themounting frame parts 18 d-1 and 18 d-3 or 18 d-2 and 18 d-4. Suchsupport plates can be e.g. screwed onto the mounting frame parts, likethe relevant component 14 d.

Examples of alternative sites for mounting a component-specific RFIDtransponder are shown dashed in FIG. 10.

For the cross-sectional design of the mounting frame parts 18 d-1 to 18d-4, numerous possibilities are available. In FIG. 11 a specificcross-sectional design is shown merely as an example. Thiscross-sectional example is also used as the basis of the subsequentdescription of further exemplary embodiments. Naturally however, othercross-sectional designs are also possible in all exemplary embodiments.

Each of FIGS. 12 to 19 illustrates, in a view corresponding to that ofFIG. 11, various modifications which can be provided on a receivingdevice of the type already described with regard to the nature of thearrangement of device-specific RFID transponders.

When in these exemplary embodiments described below a or thedevice-specific RFID transponder is mentioned, then this relates to therespective transponder illustrated in the drawing. As in the receivingdevices already described, in actual fact a plurality of suchtransponders is arranged on a vertical transponder grid in each case.However, since the individual transponders of each exemplary embodimentare arranged or mounted in the same manner (e.g. on rotating or slidingbearings), offset relative to one another only in the verticaldirection, their description is redundant.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a mounting frame part 18e-1 is not provided with a device-specific RFID transponder 36 e on itsfront face, but behind it.

The transponder 36 e is stationarily attached to the mounting frame part18 e-1 via a retaining section 60 e. The section 60 e can form anintegral part of the mounting frame part 18 e-1 which is implemented asa profile, or be implemented as a separate component.

When a built-in component 14 e is positioned as shown in the vicinity ofthe transponder 36 e, then the front plate 22 e of the built-incomponent 14 e again has the effect of screening the transponder 36 efrom an RFID antenna 32 e assigned thereto. After demounting thecomponent 14 e a communication between the antenna 32 e and thetransponder 36 e can be made “through the fixing hole 16 e”. As shown,when the component 14 e is demounted a “line-of-sight connection” forradio signals exists between antenna 32 e and transponder 36 e.

It is to be noted that also in the case in which the fixing hole 16 e isaligned with a fixing hole 24 e on the front plate 22 e, this screeningoccurs in the mounted condition of the component 14 e, due namely to thescrew fixing that is present at this position (by means of a screeningscrew and nut).

The transponder 36 e in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is arrangedat the same height as the fixing hole 16 e shown, but at a horizontaldistance from it which allows a trouble-free screw fixing of the frontplate 22 e.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment similar to those already describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 9. In particular in theexample according to FIG. 13, a transponder 36 f is again arranged onthe front face of a mounting frame part 18 f-1. This is in a recess 62 fhowever, the depth of which approximately corresponds to the thicknessof the transponder 36 f, so that the transponder 36 f does not prevent afront plate 22 f of a built-in component 14 f from areally resting onthe front face of the mounting frame part 18 f-1. The recess 62 f can beimplemented, e.g. as shown, by an appropriate shape configuration of themounting frame profile 18 f-1. Alternatively, the profile 18 f-1 couldhave e.g. a continuous recess (through hole) passing through it (fromthe front to the rear face), into which the individual transponders 36 for a strip carrying them (e.g. plastic strips) are/is inserted (similarto the recess as described for the examples according to FIGS. 21 and22).

In the exemplary embodiments described up to now the device-specificRFID transponders are arranged stationarily inside the receiving device.Below, with reference to FIG. 14 to 17, exemplary embodiments withdisplaceable transponders will be explained. The idea underlying theseexemplary embodiments is to change the quality of the communication pathbetween the respective device-specific RFID transponder and an antennaprovided for the communication with this RFID transponder when abuilt-in component is mounted or demounted, by means of a forciblycontrolled (alternatively: manually invoked) change in the position ofthe respective device-specific transponder.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mounting frame part 18 g-1having an RFID transponder 36 g, which is attached to the mounting framepart 18 g-1 via a pivotable retaining section 60 g.

If no built-in component is present in the vicinity of the transponder36 g, then a “line-of-sight connection” for radio signals exists betweentransponder 36 g and an associated RFID antenna 32 g. If a built-incomponent is mounted at this position however, then a screening isprovided by the front plate, or a forcibly controlled pivoting of thetransponder 36 g about a vertical pivoting axis 64 g, during which thetransponder 36 g is moved into the position shown by a dashed line, inwhich the RFID communication with the antenna 32 g is disabled. This isbecause in the position shown by a dashed line the transponder 36 g issituated in a spatial region which is barely “illuminated” by theantenna, or not at all, and which is screened by the e.g. metallicmounting frame part 18 g-1.

A simple possibility for the forcibly controlled change in position ofthe transponder 36 g exists e.g. when this change is effected byinsertion of a screw into the associated fixing hole 16 g (thetransponder 36 g is compressed by the screw or a threaded nut optionallymounted behind the fixing hole 16 g). This pivoting motion takes placeagainst the restoring force of a spring (not shown), which swings thedisplaced transponder 36 g back into its starting position afterdemounting of the relevant built-in component.

Alternatively or additionally, to disable the RFID communication wheninserting the fixing screw, in this exemplary embodiment the screeningeffect already described above due to an electrically conductive frontplate of the relevant built-in component can also advantageously beused.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment slightly modified relative to FIG. 14, inwhich a retaining section 60 h provided for the pivot mounting is bentat its transponder-side end such that the front face of a transponder 36h fixed at this end projects somewhat out of an assigned fixing hole 16h of a mounting frame part 18 h-1 toward the front. It is therebypossible e.g. to improve the quality of the RFID communication when thetransponder 36 h is not displaced.

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a transponder 36 i canagain be forcibly pivoted over a retaining section 60 i about a verticalpivoting axis 64 i.

In contrast to the examples according to FIGS. 14 and 15 however, viewedin the transverse direction the undisplaced transponder 36 i is notsituated in the region of an assigned fixing hole 16 i, but positionedcloser to the centre of the device (between the frontal mounting frameparts), so that its forcible displacement (here: pivoting) isimplemented by forcing the transponder 36 i through a housing of abuilt-in component to be installed (also shown by a dashed line).

In a constructionally particularly simple manner the retaining section60 i can be implemented e.g. as a so-called film hinge, or perhaps as apermanently elastic plastic strip which is reversibly bent over whenmounting a built-in component and therefore reverts to its initial shapeon removal of the component.

With regard to the examples described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16,it should be noted that their implementation is possible even when therelevant mounting frame part has no electromagnetic screening effect andis produced e.g. from non-screening plastic. In this case namely, it canbe provided that the RFID communication is changed by the change inorientation of the device-specific RFID transponder which takes place inthese examples. Means to be considered for this purpose are, forexample, a suitably angle-dependent transmitting and/or receivingcharacteristic of the RFID transponder used, or a polarisation effect.

An alternative arrangement position of an RFID antenna 32 i′ is shown indashed lines in FIG. 16, which only detects the transponder 36 i whenthe built-in component is installed (and does not detect it when nobuilt-in component is installed at the relevant position). Correspondingalternative (or additional) antenna arrangements (behind a mountingframe part) also follow e.g. from the examples according to FIGS. 14 and15.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary embodiment in which, similarly to the exampleaccording to FIG. 16, an arm 68 j e.g. elastically hinged about apivoting axis 66 j is forced to pivot through a housing (shown by adashed line) of a built-in component. In this case, via a mechanicalfunctional connection 70 j only schematically indicated, a transponder36 j displaceably mounted on a mounting frame part 18 j-1 is pushed outthrough a lateral outer opening of the mounting frame part 18 j-1. Thefunctional connection in the illustrated exemplary embodiment cancomprise e.g. a push rod between the arm 68 j and the transponder 36 j,or a holder for this transponder respectively.

In the above described exemplary embodiments with an RFID transponderthat is displaceable during installation or removal of a built-incomponent, an operating device or an operating element could alsoalternatively be provided, which a user can activate manually when he orshe mounts or demounts a built-in component.

In the following exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS.18 and 19, such a manual operation is provided for the purpose ofinfluencing the RFID communication. In these exemplary embodiments, asan alternative to the manual operation, a forcibly controlled orautomatic displacement of a component could also be provided.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a device-specific RFIDtransponder 36 k (e.g. separately from a mounting frame part) 18 k-1 isheld in a stationary position in the relevant receiving device. Toachieve this the transponder 36 k can be connected, e.g. via a retainingsection, to another stationary part of the device (in the case of acabinet, e.g. to an adjacent side wall).

As a manually activated operating element a screening plate 72 k,implemented e.g. in the form of a slider, is provided which in a mannernot shown in detail can be displaced in the direction of the doublearrow in the Figure, such that by appropriate displacement of thescreening plate 72 k a user can optionally disable or enablecommunication between the transponder 36 k and an assigned RFID antenna32 k. Unlike the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the transponder 36 kcould for this purpose also be arranged directly on the mounting framepart 18 k-1, e.g. as shown in the example according to FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary embodiment which is slightly modified withrespect to the example of FIG. 18. A transponder 36 m is again arrangedin a stationary position in the region of a mounting frame part 18 m-1and can be optionally screened off or uncovered by a displacement of ascreening plate 72 m. The screening plate 72 m is for this purposepivotable about a vertical pivoting axis 74 m (cf. double arrow).

FIG. 20 illustrates examples of further possibilities for thearrangement of device-specific RFID transponders 36 n, 36 p or 36 qalong a mounting frame part (e.g. vertical perforated strip) of thereceiving device.

The transponders can be implemented e.g. in a known manner as adhesivelyattachable transponder strips with an integrated circuit (“transponderchip”) and antenna sections protruding therefrom (e.g. in dipolefashion). In FIG. 20 the transponders 36 n, 36 p and 36 q are eachsymbolised by such circuits complete with associated antenna sections.

To change the transponder action as a function of a presence or absenceof a built-in component in the vicinity of the respective transponder,in the case of the illustrated transponders 36 n and 36 p the respectiveantenna sections can be short-circuited by direct contacting of theseantenna sections by means of an electrically conductive front plate ofthe type described above. (The transponders and/or the front plate canbe provided with e.g. spring contacts for the purpose, in order toguarantee a reliable contacting). In this case the screening action ofsuch a front plate already described above can also be accompanied byinfluencing the antenna action (by short-circuiting of antennasections).

In the case of the transponder 36 q, the change in the transponderaction can be based on a screening and/or electrical contacting of oneof two antenna sections of the transponder 36 q.

FIG. 21 shows an exemplary embodiment in which a device-specific RFIDtransponder 36 r is arranged on the rear side of a “radio-signaltransparent” (non-screening) strip 80 r (e.g. made of plastic), which isinserted (e.g. screwed or glued) into a suitable recess of an e.g.metallic mounting frame part 18 r-1. For communication with thetransponder 36 r, the RFID antenna 32 r symbolised in FIG. 21 isprovided.

When a built-in component (not shown) is mounted in the vicinity of thetransponder 36 r, then a forced pivoting of an arm 68 r (see arrow)takes place, which is hinged against a spring force about a pivotingaxis 66 r. Due to this pivoting action, two electrical contacts on theside of the arm 68 r facing the transponder 36 r move out of electricalcontact with electrical contacts correspondingly arranged on the rearside of the transponder 36 r. In the illustrated example a short-circuitof the two electrical contacts of the transponder 36 r, which is in thesituation according to FIG. 21, is thereby removed. The forciblypivotable arm 68 r with the short-circuit contacts arranged thereontherefore represents an influencing means for signalling the presence orabsence of a built-in component to the transponder 36 r. The transponder36 r is implemented such that its transponder action (e.g. transferreddata) is changed according to the above signalling.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary embodiment which is slightly modified withrespect to the example of FIG. 21. A transponder 36 s is again arrangedon the rear side of a non-screening strip 80 s, wherein the transponderaction thereof can again be changed by a pivoting of an arm 68 s about apivoting axis 66 s.

In contrast to the example according to FIG. 21 the arm 68 s is nothowever provided with electrical contacts for interaction withcorresponding counter contacts of the transponder, but with anelectrically conductive plate 72 s, which depending on the pivotposition of the arm 68 s, is arranged either very near to the rear sideof the transponder or somewhat at a distance away from it.

In this example the forced displacement of the plate 72 s leads to aninfluence on the action of the antenna of the RFID transponder 36 s.This change in the antenna action and thus transponder action can beprovided such that in one case the communication with the RFID antenna32 s is enabled and in the other it is disabled.

The strips 80 r and 80 s provided in the examples according to FIGS. 21and 22 can in particular be in the form of strips extending more or lesscontinuously in the direction of the corresponding mounting frame part18 r-1 or 18 s-1, which at the time of their installation or attachmentto the mounting frame part, are already provided with a correspondingplurality of transponders 36 r and 36 s together with the assigned“influencing means” (“transponder strip”).

The invention claimed is:
 1. Receiving device, in particular a cabinetor rack, having a receiving space (12) for receiving built-in components(14) provided with RFID transponders (34), having a detection device fordetecting built-in components (14) accommodated, which is or can beconnected to an evaluation device (30), and has at least one RFIDantenna (32) for communication with the component-specific RFIDtransponders (34), and having a plurality of device-specific RFIDtransponders (36) arranged distributed along the receiving space (12),wherein the at least one RFID antenna (32) for communication with thecomponent-specific RFID transponders (34) or at least one other antennacan be used or is provided for communication with the device-specificRFID transponders (36), and having influencing means for influencing thedevice-specific RFID transponders (36), such that the content of thecommunication of the device-specific RFID transponders (36) can bechanged as a function of a presence or absence of a built-in component(14) in the vicinity of the respective device-specific RFID transponder(36), wherein the influencing means are each electrically connected orelectrically connectable to an assigned one of the device-specific RFIDtransponders (36), such that the presence or absence is signalled to therespective device-specific RFID transponder (36), such that a detectionof the mounting positions within the receiving space (12) is enabled. 2.The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein possible mountingpositions of the built-in components (14) in the receiving space (12)are defined by a mounting grid of the receiving device (10), inparticular by a mounting grid which is defined by the positions of aseries of fixing means (16), constructed along a vertically extendingmounting frame part (18).
 3. The receiving device according to claim 1,wherein the device-specific RFID transponders (36) are arranged on atransponder grid extending along the receiving space (12), in particularon a transponder grid which is implemented so as to correspond to amounting grid of the receiving device (10).
 4. The receiving deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one RFID antenna (32)provided for communication with the component-specific RFID transponders(34) can also be used for communication with the device-specific RFIDtransponders (36).
 5. The receiving device according to claim 1, whereinthe detection device has at least one additional RFID antenna forcommunication with the device-specific RFID transponders (36).
 6. Thereceiving device according to claim 1, wherein the change of the contentof the communication of the device-specific RFID transponders (36) iseffected forcibly by the installation or removal of a built-in component(14) in the vicinity of the respective device-specific RFID transponder(36).
 7. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein means foreffecting the change in the transponder action are provided that can bemanually operated by a user.
 8. RFID detection method, carried out bymeans of a receiving device (10) according to claim
 1. 9. The receivingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna (32) runs thelength of the receiving device.
 10. The receiving device according toclaim 1, wherein the device-specific RFID transponders (36) are providedwith electrical contacts, via which the presence or absence of abuilt-in component (14) in the vicinity of the respectivedevice-specific RFID transponder (36) is signalled.
 11. The receivingdevice according to claim 10, wherein the influencing means forinfluencing the device-specific RFID transponders (36 r) each are formedby an arm (68 r), which is hinged against a spring force about apivoting axis (66 r) and which is provided with short-circuit contactsarranged thereon, such that when a built-in component (14) is mounted inthe vicinity of the respective device-specific RFID transponder (36 r),a forced pivoting of the arm (68 r) takes place and due to this pivotingaction, two electrical contacts on the side of the arm (68 r) facing therespective device-specific RFID transponder (36 r) move out ofelectrical contact with the electrical contacts of the transponder (36r).